Stories for October 27th 2017

European Union countries failed this week to vote on a license extension for weed-killer glyphosate, delaying again a decision on the widely used herbicide that critics say could cause cancer. The EU said in a statement the relevant committee did not hold a vote at a meeting and that it would announce the date of the next meeting shortly.

Rotary winds permitting, November should bring the arrival in the Falkland Islands of two celebrity visitors: award-winning journalist and TV presenter, John Stapleton and explorer Ranulph Fiennes, described by The Guinness Book of Records as, “the world’s greatest living explorer.”

Spain's Senate on Friday authorized the government to apply constitutional measures to take control of the government of Catalonia. A majority of senators gave Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy the go-ahead through Article 155 of the constitution to apply unprecedented measures, including sacking Catalan regional President Carles Puigdemont and his cabinet. It also authorized him to curtail Catalan parliamentary powers.

The Spanish Senate is poised to activate Article 155 of the country’s constitution on Friday, giving Madrid the power to take over Catalonia’s institutions and police and remove its regional leader from office.

Ex Argentine president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner has denied in court that she covered up for Iranians accused of involvement in the 1994 bombing of a Jewish community center in Buenos Aires in which 85 people were killed.

Following the announcement of a range of new security measures affecting all travelers entering Unite States airports, Lonely Planet has released some recommendations before taking the next flight. The new measures will apply to all inbound flights to the US from 280 airports across 105 countries around the world, affecting approximately 2100 commercial flights and 325,000 passengers every day.

European Union leaders have agreed to press ahead with Mercosur talks and European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker confirmed the bloc will “continue to do everything” to conclude a deal before the end of the year. “It's important,” Mr Juncker said. “We underestimate the importance of Mercosur for the European Union.”

Argentina's ruling coalition Let's Change sweeping victory in last Sunday's midterm elections, which had a special chapter in the province of Buenos Aires, was one of the toughest ever, and defeated ex president Cristina Fernandez performance was meritorious.